Mr. Enrique Cerezo presents Kun Agüero’s contract extension at the Calderón
The Atlético player was pleased and is convinced that the team will improve
The President of Club Atlético de Madrid, Mr. Enrique Cerezo, attended the VIP Room at Estadio Vicente Calderón on Monday 31 January to present the contract extension of one of his start players, Sergio ‘Kun’ Agüero. The organization on the banks of the Manzanares River reached a deal with the Spanish-Argentine striker which links Agüero to Atlético until 30 June 2014. It should be recalled that his contract was set to expire in 2012.
Also in attendance at the event were Mr. Clemente Villaverde (Club Board Member), Mr. Jesús García Pitarch (Sports Director), Mr. Emilio Gutiérrez (Director of Sales, Marketing and Communication) and Mr. Fernando Fariza (Director of the Social Department).
Mr. Enrique Cerezo wanted to begin his speech by quoting “‘renewing isn’t just re-signing a contract. It’s also renewing a commitment to the club where I arrived when I was 18 years-old. It’s also renewing my wish to continue progressing with the organization. Last year we won two very important titles. That’s why this extension also means winning more titles, so that Atleti becomes larger and larger. And to all of the supporters, the same ones who have made me feel at home since that first day of Juner 2006, I’d like to say ‘thank you’. Here I am, renewed, to keep growing with Atleti.’ That’s how Sergio Kun Agüero defined his feelings on 4 January when we made the contract extension, which binds him to Atlético de Madrid until 30 June 2014, official.
“I wanted to start this presentation with his own words, because no words from anyone else could be as truthful and sincere as those from the protagonist himself. Those are the words that come from within, the ones that one feels. His words of appreciation and commitment to the organization demonstrate that he decided to extend his time at Atlético when he easily could have waited 11 months and negotiated his future openly,” emphasized the head director.
The President continued by ensuring that “that’s why we’re here, to announce that Kun wanted to renew a commitment that he initiated when he was only 17, and which reminds us that one day he landed at Barajas Airport with a dream and hopes, that of showing the whole world that he was capable of becoming one of the most outstanding players of international football.
“His humility, affable and cheerful character, the support of his family, of his teammates and all of the members of the Club, have allowed this player from the fields of Buenos Aires, in a very short time period, to achieve the goal that he so longed for and become an exemplary player who brings together not only an outstanding athletic performance, but also a leadership that is expressed in many other important aspects for the institution,” he highlighted.
Mr. Enrique Cerezo wanted to stress, above all, the many qualities of the Spanish-Argentine striker which have led to his tight relationship with the fans. “There are players who create and project an image and values that go beyond their simple contractual link, and this is solely possible when the player is aware of how much he means and the commitment that he undertakes before the millions of supporters who see in him a benchmark and a model to follow,” he asserted.
“Kun is a person who has always wanted to grow, who has wanted to listen to learn and who has allowed himself to be advised, which has permitted him to become the magnificent player that he is today, and to have an enviable trophy case of individual and group recognitions, amongst which include the FIFA World Player, the Golden Boy, the Best Under-21 Player in the World Award from the Gazzetta dello Sport, the EFE Trophy for best South American player, the Under-21 World Cup title with Argentina, the Gold Medal of the Beijing Olympic Games and, of course, the UEFA Europa League and the European Super Cup that we won last season and which were his first two club titles with Atlético de Madrid,” stated Mr. Enrique Cerezo.
“With Atlético, which has given him the opportunity to develop as a person and as a professional, Kun is on the path to establishing himself as one of the greats, one of the legends of ‘rojiblanco’ history, as a player who will be passed down from one generation to the next, from grandparents to grandchildren, because they serve to transmit the love and fidelity of one’s colours to the youngest of children. Because it is through players such as Kun Agüero that an identity begins to become defined, values are built around a BRAND and keep a feeling alive which will endure unyielding in time. Kun, thank you for your commitment. We have many moments to share ahead,” concluded the President.
For his part, Sergio Kun Agüero appeared pleased and excited about the extension. The Atlético de Madrid forward publicly assured that “first of all, I’d like to thank the Club, Miguel Ángel (Gil) and Enrique (Cerezo) for this extension. I’ve always felt at home since I arrived at this Club when I was 17 years-old; I’ve been treated very well. I wouldn’t be lying if I said that I’m staying here because I want to.
“As I said, it’s not just a signature, it’s a commitment to the organization. I believe that all of us together can move this project forward. I’m happy to continue and I hope to enjoy many more years here,” he wrapped up.
Also in attendance at the event were Mr. Clemente Villaverde (Club Board Member), Mr. Jesús García Pitarch (Sports Director), Mr. Emilio Gutiérrez (Director of Sales, Marketing and Communication) and Mr. Fernando Fariza (Director of the Social Department).
Mr. Enrique Cerezo wanted to begin his speech by quoting “‘renewing isn’t just re-signing a contract. It’s also renewing a commitment to the club where I arrived when I was 18 years-old. It’s also renewing my wish to continue progressing with the organization. Last year we won two very important titles. That’s why this extension also means winning more titles, so that Atleti becomes larger and larger. And to all of the supporters, the same ones who have made me feel at home since that first day of Juner 2006, I’d like to say ‘thank you’. Here I am, renewed, to keep growing with Atleti.’ That’s how Sergio Kun Agüero defined his feelings on 4 January when we made the contract extension, which binds him to Atlético de Madrid until 30 June 2014, official.
“I wanted to start this presentation with his own words, because no words from anyone else could be as truthful and sincere as those from the protagonist himself. Those are the words that come from within, the ones that one feels. His words of appreciation and commitment to the organization demonstrate that he decided to extend his time at Atlético when he easily could have waited 11 months and negotiated his future openly,” emphasized the head director.
The President continued by ensuring that “that’s why we’re here, to announce that Kun wanted to renew a commitment that he initiated when he was only 17, and which reminds us that one day he landed at Barajas Airport with a dream and hopes, that of showing the whole world that he was capable of becoming one of the most outstanding players of international football.
“His humility, affable and cheerful character, the support of his family, of his teammates and all of the members of the Club, have allowed this player from the fields of Buenos Aires, in a very short time period, to achieve the goal that he so longed for and become an exemplary player who brings together not only an outstanding athletic performance, but also a leadership that is expressed in many other important aspects for the institution,” he highlighted.
Mr. Enrique Cerezo wanted to stress, above all, the many qualities of the Spanish-Argentine striker which have led to his tight relationship with the fans. “There are players who create and project an image and values that go beyond their simple contractual link, and this is solely possible when the player is aware of how much he means and the commitment that he undertakes before the millions of supporters who see in him a benchmark and a model to follow,” he asserted.
“Kun is a person who has always wanted to grow, who has wanted to listen to learn and who has allowed himself to be advised, which has permitted him to become the magnificent player that he is today, and to have an enviable trophy case of individual and group recognitions, amongst which include the FIFA World Player, the Golden Boy, the Best Under-21 Player in the World Award from the Gazzetta dello Sport, the EFE Trophy for best South American player, the Under-21 World Cup title with Argentina, the Gold Medal of the Beijing Olympic Games and, of course, the UEFA Europa League and the European Super Cup that we won last season and which were his first two club titles with Atlético de Madrid,” stated Mr. Enrique Cerezo.
“With Atlético, which has given him the opportunity to develop as a person and as a professional, Kun is on the path to establishing himself as one of the greats, one of the legends of ‘rojiblanco’ history, as a player who will be passed down from one generation to the next, from grandparents to grandchildren, because they serve to transmit the love and fidelity of one’s colours to the youngest of children. Because it is through players such as Kun Agüero that an identity begins to become defined, values are built around a BRAND and keep a feeling alive which will endure unyielding in time. Kun, thank you for your commitment. We have many moments to share ahead,” concluded the President.
For his part, Sergio Kun Agüero appeared pleased and excited about the extension. The Atlético de Madrid forward publicly assured that “first of all, I’d like to thank the Club, Miguel Ángel (Gil) and Enrique (Cerezo) for this extension. I’ve always felt at home since I arrived at this Club when I was 17 years-old; I’ve been treated very well. I wouldn’t be lying if I said that I’m staying here because I want to.
“As I said, it’s not just a signature, it’s a commitment to the organization. I believe that all of us together can move this project forward. I’m happy to continue and I hope to enjoy many more years here,” he wrapped up.